A Somali football referee was denied entry to the United States at the weekend, prompting the British Football Association to call for an investigation into the decision. The official, who has not been named, was scheduled to officiate an international friendly between the United States and Somalia in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Border agents at Dulles International Airport reportedly questioned the referee for several hours before revoking his visa and placing him on a return flight to Mogadishu.
The British FA, which has a partnership with the Somali Football Federation, expressed concern over the handling of the case. A spokesperson said on Monday: 'We are deeply troubled by reports that a Somali referee was denied entry without due process. We call on the US authorities to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.'
It remains unclear what grounds the US Department of Homeland Security used to deny entry. Under US immigration law, visitors can be deemed inadmissible for a range of reasons including security concerns, previous visa violations, or errors in documentation. However, the Somali referee had reportedly travelled with a valid visa and all required paperwork.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of US visa policies under the Trump administration. In 2017, the administration imposed travel restrictions on several majority-Muslim countries, though Somalia has not been directly affected since 2020. The US Department of State declined to comment on the specific case, citing privacy laws.
Football officials in Somalia have also condemned the decision. The country's football association said in a statement that the referee was 'humiliated' at the airport and that the incident would damage the sport's development in the region. 'This sends a chilling message to Somali officials who wish to engage in international football,' the statement read.
The British FA's call for an investigation underscores the diplomatic implications of the case. The FA has worked closely with Somali football authorities in recent years, providing coaching and infrastructure support. The incident could strain relations between the UK and the US, as well as broader efforts to integrate Somalia into the global football community.
Legal experts have noted that the US government has broad discretion in visa decisions. However, the lack of transparency in this case has raised concerns about racial or religious profiling. A former US immigration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'It is unusual for a sports official with a valid visa to be turned away without clear reasons. This suggests either a procedural error or an intelligence-based decision.'
The Somali referee is now back in Mogadishu and has not spoken publicly. The British FA has offered to provide legal support if needed. The incident is likely to be raised at the next meeting of FIFA's judicial bodies, though no formal complaint has been lodged yet.
In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said it was 'aware of the situation' but declined to comment further. The match between the United States and Somalia went ahead as scheduled with a replacement referee, ending in a 2-0 victory for the US team.
As of now, the US Department of Homeland Security has not responded to the British FA's call for an investigation. The Somali government is understood to be pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels.
